Sheet register mechanism



Nov. 7, 1950 A. J. ALBRECHT SHEET REGISTER MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 18, 1947 FIG 2 C O @i @D f O O O FIG, 4

NVENTOR ALEXANDER J. ALBRECHT N0 7, 1950 A. J. ALBRECHT 2,529,273

SHEET REGISTER MECHANISM INVENTOR ALEXANDER J. ALERECHT g BY Nov. 7, 1950 A. J. ALBRECHT SHEET REGISTER MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 18, 1947 TIE.

INVENTOR ALEXANDER. J. ALBRECHT F O E S Nov. 7, 1950 A. J. ALBRECHT 2,529,273

SHEET REGISTER MECHANISM Filed June 18, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 5| FJQ. 7 'o' 52 50 INVENTOR ALEXANDER J. ALBRECHT Patented Nov. 7, 1950 SHEET REGISTER MECHANISM Alexander J. Albrecht. West New York, N. J., as-

signor to R. Hoe & Co.. Inc., New York, N. Y.. a corporation of New York Application June 18, 1947, Serial No. 755.327

20 Claims.

This invention relates to sheet feeding machines and more particularly tothe registering of sheetsand the detection of improperly positioned or registered sheets.

The feeding and registering of sheets is necessary in a variety of applications, but is probably of greatest importance in connection with print-- ing machines, and the present invention will be described in a form intended primarily for use with such machines. In sheet fed printing machines, the successive sheets which are presented to the printing unit, or to the first unit of a plurality of printing units, are normally registered, both in the direction of travel and laterally, by a registering cylinder or other device which registers the sheets and detects an improperly registered sheet for controlling the tripping olf of the printing unit or units and causing rejection of such sheets. Registering and detecting elements may be incorporated in a printing unit itself but are more customarily embodied in a separate registering device, such as a registering cylinder, and the present improvements will be disclosed in connection with such a separate registering cylinder.

Sheet fed printing machines and registering devices therefor are well known in themselves, one such machine of the chain conveyor type being disclosed in Huck Patent No. 2,231,914. In prior registering devices such as that disclosed in the Huck patent, lateral register has been eiected by applying a traction to the sheet by suction or other means and bringing an edge of the sheet up against a stop so as to stop its lateral movement when in properly registering position. Alternatively, the lateral registry gauge means may abut against the trailing edge of the sheet. In either case, difiiculty is experienced due to the relatively flimsy nature of the sheet edge and due to the possibility that its contour may have been disturbed by damage during handling.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved registering device which positions the sheet without tending to bend or damage the edge thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sheet reinforcing element which is positioned under a sheet to be registered adjacent its edge and reinforces the same so that the reinforced edge may be caused to engage a registering stop without injury to the sheet or inaccuracy of registration due to irregularity of the edge of the sheet.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for detecting improperly registered sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means for detecting double sheets.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for coordinating sheet detector mechanisms with a reject control member.

With these, and still other objects which will appear from the accompanying specification in mind, the invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts and details of construction which will be first described in connection with the accompanying drawing, and the features forming the invention will then be specifically pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a registering cylinder embodying the invention in a pre' ferred form;

February 2 is a much enlarged view of a portion of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3--3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4--4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a central longitudinal section of one end of the cylinder of Figure l Figure 6 is a view on an enlarged scale of a modified form of sheet moving and registering device;

Figure 7 is a cross section through a registering cylinder embodying the device of Figure 6` on a somewhat reduced scale;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the device of Figure 6 with certain parts removed;

Figure 9 is a plan view on a reduced scale of the device of Figure 6, showing additional elements;

Figure 10 is a cross section on the line lil-I0 of Figure 6;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal section through a valve employed with the device of Figures 6 and following; and

Figure l2 is a section on the line i2-I2 of Figure 11.

The present invention is disclosed as applied to a device such as shown in detail in the Huck patent, above referred to, and the following description is conned to the novel elements and such of the old elements as are necessary for an understanding of the invention.

In Figure l, the registering cylinder l is rotatable in the direction of the arrow, while the housing elements 2 and 3 at the ends thereof are stationary. The sheet is propelled toward the printing machine by the rotation of the cylinder and may creep forwardly thereon under the iniiuence of tapes or other sheet advancing means. A rejecting device comprising a shaft l having stripper fingers 5, is provided for throwing out improperly registered sheets. The sheet l Lateral registry is effected by suction bars 8 and 9 Aendj of this shaft carries an arm and cam roller I2v which follows the contour of the stationary cam Il for rocking theshaft I8 to actuate the lateral registering `mechanism as the f `registering cylinder and its shaft u rotate. The

camshaft Ilcarries a cam arm Il cooperating 'with a' cam block I8 which is fixed to the bar 8,

the cam I8 acting against the spring I1. The

lateral registering bar 8 issimilarly actuated by a cam arm I8, cam block |8 and spring 28. The

springs |1 and 28 serve to hold the cam roller I2 against the cam |8, thus accurately controlling the movementsof the bars 8 and 8.

The bar 8 comprises an upper member 2| (Figure 3) and lower member 22 which are bolted or otherwise fastened together and the lower member 22 is formed with ribs 28 which cooperate with balls 28, providing antifriction sliding bearings within grooves or channels formed in the blocks 23 and 24 which are fastened in the cylinder. A number of suction holes 21 are formed in the bar 8 and are arranged to receive removable plugs 21a which are inserted in most of the holes to render the suction ineii'ective `in areas on the cylinder other than that which is directly beneath Y the side edge of the sheet that is registered. The hole 21 nearest to the area that receives the registering edge of the sheet is left open. These suction holes communicate with the longitudinal passage 28 in the lower member 22- of bar 8 and thence (Figure through a connection 28 with a valve 38 which controls the application of sucti-on to the bar from suction line 8|, which is connected to the external suction line 82. The valve movements are controlled by means of a valve operating arm 38 actuated by the cam shaft I0.

Suction bar 9 may be provided with similar suction apparatus and bothbars may be utilized together, as in the Huck patent, or one bar may be utilized at a time.

The mechanism as thus far described does not dier substantially from that disclosed in the Huck patent. The contour of cam I3 and the construction of valve 38 are, however, modified so as to provide for a different cycle of movementsA of the bar 8. In the Huck patent, the bar 8 may be moved axially inward from the end of the cylinder toward its middle at any convenient time in the cylinder rotation, after a sheet has been registered, and the suction is then applied and the bar moved back as described therein. In view of the action described below, however,

`the movement of the parts in the present device is somewhat different, the bar 8 moving inwardly toward the middle of the cylinder and toward the' sheet after the sheet is in position thereover and the suction being then applied and the bar retracted for registering the sheet. As shown herein, the bar 8 carries a plate 48 (Figures 2 to `4) which is secured thereto at any place along `the bar as may be required to accommodate different size sheets, by screws 48a which t into holes 40bspaced along the bar. The edges of the plate 40 overhang slightly and a slidable member or `shoe 4|, which forms a reinforcement for the edge of the sheet, is carried thereby. The sheet gripping and reinforcing' member 4I has downwardly extending side flanges that are turned under, and springs 42 are interposed between the inwardly turned flanges 43 and the edges of the der for moving the sheet laterally into register.

As shown in Figure 5, a 'cam shaft I8 is lour- 4 plate 48, so that the slidable member 4| is held down against the plate 48 by the springs and is frictionally slidable therealong, the sliding movement being opposed by friction created by pressure of springs 42. Member 4| is adapted to 'engage the sheet under a substantial area thereof adjacent the edge to be registered and prevent buckling thereof by the registering stop which may. and preferably does, engage the member 4|. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, the member 4| has a sheet supporting and reinforcing surface which is perforated to provide a number of suction holes 44 and has an upwardly extending flange or abutment 45 for engaging and registering the edge of the sheet. The plate 48 overlies a suction hole 21 in which no plug 21a is placed. and hence, when the valve 38 is opened, suction will be applied through the holes 44 to a sheet of paper overlying the slidable element 4I. The element 4| is preferably made slightly convex as indicated to insure good contact with the sheet. A stop bar 41 is attached to Tshaped bars 41a which, like those shown in the Huck patent, are providedwith many spaced threaded holes'41b to receive screws 41c securing the stop bar 41 in any desired position on the cylinder as required to properly register the sheets.

The operation of the lateral registering device is as foliows: A sheet having been presented to the registering cylinder and moved therealong for registering at its front edge, as in the Huck patent, the bar 8 is moved axially inward of the registering cylinder, without any suction being applied. During this inward movement the iiange abutment 48 will engage the edge of the sheet and thereafter the bar 8 will continue to move, but the shoe 4| will be held from movement by the sheet. The friction between the shoe 4| and plate 48 may be very slight, so there will be no tendency to deform the edge of the sheet. After the shoe 4I has been stopped, the bar 8 continues to move to the end of its stroke as determined by the cam I3 and associated parts. At this point valve 88 will open and apply suction through the bar 8A and the shoe 4I, thus holding the sheet down against the shoe and holding the sheet and the shoe 4| down against the plate 40, which is secured to the bar 8. This greatly increases the friction between shoe 4| and plate 48. The cam I3 and associated parts now retract the bar 8, pulling the sheet along with it, until the ange abutment 45 on the shoe 4| engages the registering stop 41. At this point further' movement of the shoe and the sheet is prevented, but the bar 8 continues to move until it has completed its return stroke. It will be observed that the sheet movement is stopped, not by the edge of the sheet alone, but mainly by stopping the shoe 4 I, and the flange abutment 45 is not required to stop the sheet by pressure against its edge, for the suction exerted through the shoe 4I holds the sheet down against the surface of shoe 4| over a substantial area adjacent its edge, which is thus reinforced and prevented from being bent or injured by contact with the stop bar 41.

If it is desired to register the opposite edge of the sheet, similar devices are employed in conjunction with the bar 9. Either bar 8 orf8 may also be utilized as in the Huck patent referred to for applying a counter traction to the sheet so as to hold the same flat against the cylinder and prevent wrinkling.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, just described, the sheet is moved for lateral registry by a suction bar having av frictionally and slidably carried sheet gripping element to which the sheet is held bysuction, and the friction of which against the suction bar is increased when suction is applied. Traction may also be applied to a sheet for registering the same laterally by utilizing a mechanically moveable member for exerting pressure on the upper surface of the sheet to hold it against a surface supporting an area of the sheet from below and such mechanical gripper elements may be slidably and frictionally moved in a manner similar to that just described.

Figures 6 to 12 show the invention as embodied in such modified form and also show certain improved detecting and reject control mechanisms.

In the embodiment of Figures 6 and following, a bar 50 is substituted for the bar 5, previously described. This bar is slidably mounted in the cylinder in a similar way and may be reciprocated by the same means as shown or by any other convenient means. Its reciprocation cycle being the same as in the case of the bar 8, this cycle and the means for producing it will not be described in detail. The bar 50 has an aperture for accommodating a sheet gripping mechanism carried by a frame I, having gibs 5Ia tting slidably in guideways 5|b in the member 50, and fastened to the member 50 by plate 5ic and bolt 5Id. The frame 5l may thus bemoved along bar 50 and fastened in the desired position. Arms 52 (Figures 6 and 7) which are pivotally suported by a downward projection 53 of the frame 5| are pivotally connected at their other ends to a moveable `iaw frame 54, thus carrying the same for movement radially inward and outward of the cylinder. The jaw frame 54 is urged inwardly by a spring 55 and its motions are controlled by means'of a roller 55 engaging with a bar 51 which is carried by means of arms 58 on a rock shaft 59. The shaft may be rocked by means of a cam roller 59 indicated in phantom in Figure '1, which is operated by a suitable cam 59a, for bringing the jaw frame 54 radially inward of the cylinder to grip a sheet at the end of the stroke of bar 50 toward the sheet, and for moving the jaw frame 54 radially outward at or near the end of the return stroke of the bar 50. The radial movements of the jaw frame 54 for gripping and releasing a sheet, thus correspond to the application and release of suction as previously described in connection with the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5. The outer end 50 of the jaw frame 54 (Figure 6) overhangs the cylinder surface in position for overhanging a sheet when the bar 50 is reciprocated toward the same and carries a slidable upper sheet gripping member 5I for pressing against the upper surface of a sheet. The member 5i comprises a downward sheet engaging projection 52 and an upper portion formed as a tenon 53 (Figure 10) for sliding within a corresponding mortise 54 in the overhanging portion 50 of the jaw frame 54. A spring 64' carried in a channel 65 formed in the jaw frame 54 urges the member 6i downwardly or inwardly of the cylinder, creating the desired light friction between the engaging surfaces of the tenon and mortise 63, 64. The projection 52 has a downwardly extending ange 52a which engages the edge of a sheet. The frame 5I forms an opposed or lower jaw frame, having a lower sheet gripping member slidable in a guideway 1i and pressed upwardly, to create the desired friction, by a spring 12. A plate 13, cut out as indicated in Figures 6 and 9 for accommodating the `law frame 54, is adjustably fastened to the cylinder and forms a stop 14 to be engaged by the flange 62a. The'lower gripping member 15 has shoulders 15 for abutting against the edge of a sheet, and for also abutting against the stop 14 in registering the sheet. The shoulders 15 are spaced apart, as indicated in Figure 10, to accommodate the projection 52 of the upper sheet gripping member and its flange 52a.

In this form of the invention, the bar 50 moves from a position to the left,of that shown in Figure 6, axially inward, carrying the jaw frame 54 which is in its radially extended position, toward the sheet. When the shoulders 15 of the lower sheet gripping member 10 engage the edge of the sheet, the member 10 is stoppd, but the bar 50 and other elements continue to move, this action being permitted by the sliding of member 10 within the guideway 1| in the bar 50. As the bar 55 continues to move, the jaw frame 54 is lowered to the position shown in Figure 6 and the ange 62a of the gripper member 6I will engage the edge of the sheet at a point between the shoulders 15, and further motion of the member 6| is then prevented by the edge of the sheet, as bar 50 completes its inward motion.

As soon as the bar 50 has completed its inward stroke, the jaw frame 54 moves radially inward further, so the sheet is gripped between 'the projection 62 of the member 5i and the sheet supporting surface of the member 10. The frictional grip thus created is suiiicient to carry the sheet back during the return stroke of' bar 50 until the member 10 and the flange 62a engage the stop 14, thus bringing the sheet into register. Thereafter, the sheet gripping elements 10 and 5| will be held so as to prevent movement of the sheet until it is taken by the grippers 1. On the completion of the return stroke, jaw frame 54 moves outwardly releasing the sheet, after which the jaw frame 54 is raised suiilciently, so the flange 52a will clear the stop 14 as the bar 50 is moved back to the starting position, where the overhanging parts of the frameA 54 are beyond the edge of the sheet, which by this time is being taken from the cylinder.

It will be understood that by using a suitably proportioned cam 59a, it is possible to lower the projecting parts of the frame 54 so they will be entirely below the periphery of the registering cylinder, if it is necessary to run them in close proximity to the periphery of a coacting cylinder.

Means for detecting faulty lateral register and a double sheet detector are also incorporated in the embodiment of Figures 6 and following, such devices being vacuum operated in the embodiment disclosed. The double sheet detector is associated with the sheet gripping jaw mechanism oi.' Figures 6 to 12. As shown in Figure 6, the vacuum line has a branch 8l connecting through the jaw frame 54 to a port 82 in the projection 62 oi the member 6|. A second vacuum line 53 connects to a port 84, in the upper surface in the lower jaw member 10. Vacuum line 8l comprises, as indicated, a section leading through jaw frame 54, a section leading through the slidable gripping element 6| and an intermediate passage connecting these two sections gwhen element 5I is in any position between predetermined limits. Line 83 comprises similar sections in the frame 5i and slidable element 10,'

connected by an intermediate passage, as indicated. If vacuum is applied to line 80 at the time when upper jaw frame 54 is raised after the registering of a sheet, and a registered sheet is in position, such sheet may block the port in either the upper or lower Jaw member, but will not be able to block both ports. If, however, two superposed sheets or a doubled sheet are in position, the lower sheet will be .sucked against the lower jaw, closing the port 84, ard the upper sheet will be sucked against the upper jaw, closing port 82. so that the vacuum in the line 90 will not be broken and the suction of this line may be utilized for operating sheet rejecting and trip control mechanisms as is well known in the art. The reject and trip control mechanisms may be operated by a shaft 90 (Figure 7), resiliently urged in a clockwise direction at an appropriate point in the registering cylinder rotation, as fully disclosed in the Huck patent, above referred to, the movement of such shaft causing the acceptance of the sheets and its failure to move, causing their rejection. The movement of the shaft 90 is controlled with relation to the front registry detector in the same way as in the Huck patent referred to. Arms 9| fixed to shaft 90 carry bar 92 which is engageable by the usual front registry detector fingers 6a, to prevent movement of the shaft 00. The various front registry detectors are pivoted on an axis 93 and will all be rotated counterclockwise by a properly registered sheet so as to permit a clockwise rocking movement of the shaft 90. There is also associated with the shoe 92 and pivoted about the same axis 93 as the flngers 6a, a vacuum operated finger 94 at each edge of the cylinder, each ilnger 94 being controlled by a vacuum cylinder 95 and spring 90. The vacuum cylinder 95 contains a spring 91 and piston 90 having a piston rod 99 abutting against the upper arm of the lever or finger 94. When vacuum is applied to the cylinder 95 through line |00, the piston rod 99 will be retracted, permitting the spring 96 to hold the finger 94 in position for interfering with movement of the bar 92 and shaft 90. If, however, vacuum is not applied to the cylinder 95, the spring 91 therein will force the rod 99 outwardly, moving the ilnger 94 into the dotted line or noninterfering position. There is associated with the vacuum line |00, an aperture or port opening through the surface of the cylinder, and which may be formed in a member |02 adjustable axially of the cylinder. When the port |0| is covered by paper, and vacuum is applied to the line |00, such vacuum will cause the vacuum cylinder 95 and ilnger Il to operate, to cause rejection of the sheet and operation of the trip control apparatus. 'I'he member |02 and a corresponding member on the opposite end of the cylinder may, therefore, be adjusted so as not to be covered by a properly registered sheet of proper widthl and so that the covering of either of these ports by an improperly registered sheet or sheet of excess width will cause the rejection of the sheet and operation of the trip mechanism for the printing machine. The double sheet detector vacuum line I0 may be similarly connected in a vacuum cylinder 95 and finger 64 operated thereby. Vacuum is applied to the detector devices just described by a line |03 leading to a passage |04 in the cylinder shaft 30 and connecting at the end thereof to a valve (Figures 11 and 12) comprising a member |05 rotating with the shaft Il and a stationary member |06 cooperating therewith and to which a vacuum pump connection |01 is made. As will be apparent from Figures 11 and 12, a port |00 in the rotary member will communicate with a port |00 in the stationary member |06 through a limited arc of movement of the cylinder and mmbencabearrangedtoapplyvacuumtotbe lines 00 and |00 at the proper time in the registering cylinder rotation cycle for rejecting or accepting a sheet, according to whether all vacuum lines are broken or one or more remains closed.

What is claimed is:

l. In a sheet registering mechanism, a sheet gripping member having a perforated sheet supporting surface and an abutment for engaging an edge of a sheet, a vacuum bar frictionally carrying the said member, means for moving the vacuum bar in one direction to bring the said abutment against the edge of a sheet overlying said sheet supporting surface and in the reverse direction for registering a sheet held against the said sheet supporting surface, and means for applying suction through said vacuum bar and perforated sheet supporting surface to hold a sheet against said surface.

2. In a sheet registering mechanism, a sheet gripping member having a perforated sheet supporting surface and an abutment for engaging an edge of a sheet, a vacuum bar frictionally carrying the said member, means for moving the said vacuum bar to bring the said abutment into engagement with the edge of a sheet overlying the said sheet supporting surface and for thereafter moving the vacuum bar for registering a sheet held on the said sheet supporting surface, means for applying suction through said vacuum bar and perforated sheet supporting surface to hold a sheet against said surface and increase the friction between said member and vacuum bar, and a stop for preventing further movement of said sheet gripping member when the said edge of the sheet is in registered position.

3. In a sheet registering mechanism, a sheet gripping member having a perforated vsheet sup- DOrting surface and an abutment i'or engaging an edge of a sheet, a vacuum bar frictionally carrying the said member. means for moving the said vacuum bar to bring the said abutment into engagement with the edge of a sheet overlying the said sheet supporting surface and for moving said l vacuum bar in the reverse direction for registering a sheet held on the said sheet supporting surface, means for applying suction through said vacuum bar and perforated sheet supporting surface to hold a sheet against said surface, and a stop for preventing further movement of the said member when the said edge of the sheet is in registered position.

4. In a sheet registering mechanism, a gripper comprising upper and lower jaws and an abutment for engaging the edge of a sheet between said jaws, means for frictionally moving the said gripper toward a sheet to be registered to bring the said abutment into engagement with an edge thereof and for frictionally moving the gripper and a sheet held thereby for registering the said edge of the sheet, means for closing the jaws to grip the sheet with the abutment in engagement with the said edge and preliminary to the said registering movement, and a stop for limiting movement of the said gripper and a sheet held thereby for registering the said edge of the sheet.

5. In a sheet registering mechanism, a gripper comprising upper and lower jaws and an abutment for engaging the edge of a sheet betweenl said jaws, means for frictionally moving the said gripper toward a sheet to be registered to bring the said abutment into engagement with an edge thereof and for frictionallymoving the said gripper and a sheet held thereby in the reverse direction for registering the said edge of the sheet, means for closing the Jaws to grip a sheet with 9 the abutment in engagement with its said edge and preliminary to the registering movement in the reverse direction, and a stop for limiting movement of the said gripper and a sheet held thereby in the reverse direction for registering the said edge of the sheet.

6. In a sheet registering mechanism, a gripper comprising upper and lower jaw frames, an abutment for engaging the edge of a sheet between said jaw frames and sheet gripping elements slidably and frictionally carried by said jaw frames, means for moving the said gripper toward a sheet to be registered to bring the said abutment into engagement with an edge thereof and for moving the said gripper and a sheet held thereby for registering the said edge of the sheet, means for closing the jaw frames to grip a sheet between the gripping elements with the abutment in engagement with the said edge and preliminary to the registering movement thereof, and a stop preventing further movement of said gripping elements and abutment when the edge of the sheet reaches registered position.

7. In a sheet registering mechanism, a gripper having upper and lower jaws, a supporting structure, a register stop iixed thereon, and means movably mounting the gripper on said supporting structure means for moving said gripper and closing the jaws thereof to grip a sheet to be registered, means for thereafter moving said grippergto register the sheet against said stop, and means for thereafter opening the said jaws to release the sheet, each said jaw having a suction passage opening into its sheet engaging surface, and double sheet detecting means com prising means for applying suction to said passages and means for detecting the presence of a double sheet by the closing of both of said passages when said jaws are open.

8. Sheet registering mechanism according to claim 7, in which the said upper and lower jaws comprise jaw frames and slidable sheet gripping elements carried therein, and the said suction passages comprise suction passage sections in the said jaw frames and in the said slidable elements and intermediate passages for connecting the said passage sections.

9. In a sheet handling mechanism, a gripper having opposed jaws for holding a sheet, means for opening said jaws to receive a sheet and for closing said jaws to grip the sheet, the said jaws having vacuum passages opening into their sheet engaging surfaces, and double-sheet detecting mechanism comprising means for applying suction to the said passages and means for detecting a double sheet by the closing of both said passages by a sheet when the said jaws are open.

10. Sheet handling mechanism` according to claim 9, in which the said opposed jaws comprise jaw frames and slidable sheet gripping elements carried therein` and the said suction passages comprise suction passage sections in the said jaw frames and in the said slidable elements and intermediate passages for connecting the said passage sections.

11. In a sheet registering mechanism having a registering cylinder for supporting a sheet to be registered and an axially reciprocable member for laterally registering the same, sheet gripping means comprising a shoe slidably and frictionally carried bv the reciprocable registering member for travel therewith under a sheet, the said shoe having an abutment for engaging against the edge of a sheet and preventing further travel of the shoe while the reciprocable member is permitted to complete its stroke, means for gripping the sheet to the said shoe and for increasing the frictional grip between the shoe and the reciprocable member during its return stroke, and a stop for preventing further movement of said shoe after the sheet has reached registered position, while' permitting completion of the return stroke of the said reciprocable member.

12. In a sheet registering mechanism having a registering cylinder for supporting a sheet to be registered and an axially reciprocable member for laterally registering the same, sheet gripping means comprising a shoe slidably and frictionally carried by the reciprocable registering member for travel therewith under a sheet, the said shoe having an abutment for engaging against the edge of a sheet and preventing further travel of of the shoe while the reciprocable member is permitted to complete its stroke, means for gripping the sheet to the said shoe and for increasing the frictional grip between the shoe and the reciprocable member during its return stroke, and an adjustable stop for preventing further movement of said shoe after the sheet has reached registered position, while permitting completion of the return stroke of the said reciprocable member.

13. In a sheet registering mechanism having a registering cylinder for supporting a sheet to be registered and an axially reciprocable suction bar for laterally registering the same, sheet gripping means comprising a perforated shoe slidably and frictionally carried by the suction bar registering member for travel therewith under a sheet, the said shoe having an abutment for engaging against the edge of a sheet and preventing further travel of the shoe while the suction bar is permitted to complete a stroke, means applying suction to the suction bar for gripping the sheet to the said shoe and for increasing the frictional grip between the shoe and the suction bar during its return stroke, and a stop for preventing further movement of said shoe after the sheet has reached registered position, while permitting completion of the return stroke of the said suction bar.

14. In a sheet registering mechanism having a registering cylinder for supporting a sheet to be registered and an axially reciprocable suction bar for laterally registering the same, sheet gripping means comprising a perforated shoe slidably and frictionally carried by the suction bar for travel therewith under a sheet, the said shoe having an abutment for engaging against the edge o1 a sheet and preventing further travel of the shoe while the suction bar is permitted to complete a stroke and being shorter than the suction bar to permit application of suction to the sheet directly by said bar as well as through said shoe, means for applying suction to the suction bar`for griping the sheet to the said shoe and suction bar and for increasing the frictional grip between the shoe and the suction bar during its return stroke, and a stop for preventing further movement of said shoe after the sheet has reached registered position, while permitting completion of the return stroke of the said suction bar.

15. In a sheet registering mechanism, a sheet registering cylinder having a sheet supporting surface and comprising a plurality of front registry detector fingers moveable into and out of interfering position with a common sheet rejecting control member and being held out of such interfering position by the front edge of a properly registered sheet, the said cylinder having apertures in its sheet supporting surface for detecting improper lateral registry, a pneumatic system connected to said apertures, and controlled by the position of the sheet with reference thereto and including pneumatic cylinder means for interfering with movement of the said sheet rejecting control member when a sheet is in improper lateral position relative to the said apertures.

16. Sheet registering mechanism according to claim 15, comprising also means for applying suction to the Upper and lower surface of a sheet for detecting double sheets and pneumatic cylinder means operable thereby for interfering with movement of the said sheet rejecting control member when a double sheet is on the registering cylinder.

17. In a sheet handling mechanism having sheet propelling means, a double sheet detector comprising members having suction apertures, means for moving said members along with a sheet during vits propulsion by the said propelling means and for bringing the said members together, while so moving. With their suction apertures in suction gripping relation to the two surfaces of-the sheet, means for applying suction to the said suction apertures, means for separating the two said members, and a pneumatic system for detecting a double sheet by the blocking of both said apertures-upon such separation of said members. .Y

18. In a sheet registering cylinder having a surface for supporting a sheet, double sheet 35 detecting mechanism comprising upper and lower suction members moveable with the cyl- 12 inder as it rotates, and means for bringing said suction members together for engaging the two surfaces of a sheet and for thereafter separating the two suction members, whereby a double sheet is detected by the maintenance of suction by both said members upon such separation.

19. In a sheet yregistering mechanism, a member moveable for registering a sheet, a sheet reinforcing element slidably mounted thereon and having a sheet reinforcing supporting surface, means for positioning the said reinforcing element under a sheet to be registered with its reinforcing surface underlying the sheet adjacent its edge, means for frictionally holding the said vreinforcing member to the ilrstsaid moveable member, means for moving the moveable member to move the sheet reinforcing element and the sheet, and a stop for engaging the thus reinforced sheet to prevent further movement thereof when the reinforced edge is in registered position while permitting continued movement of the flrst said moveable member.

20. Sheet registering mechanism according to claim 19, in which the reinforcing element comprises an abutment engageable against the edge of the sheet for positioning the reinforcing element and the sheet with relation to each other.

ALEXANDER J. ALBRECHT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 936,027 Parker Oct. 5, 19N 2,231,914 Huck Feb. 18, 1941 

